Healthy food swaps for early childhood services

Early childhood services

Small changes can make a big difference to the foods and drinks in your early childhood service.

a group of falafels on a plate

Healthy food swaps

Try swapping some ingredients or meals on your menu for these healthier alternatives, to make the foods and drinks available more nutritious for young children.

Swap these foods......for these healthier options
Salami, kabana, Strasburg, Devon or middle baconLean ham, canned fish in spring water, sliced chicken or turkey breast
Sausages and sausage mince, frankfurts and hot dogsLean burgers, lean beef or lamb mince, lean beef
Sausage rolls and piesBaked beans on toast, mini pizza faces, toasted sandwiches
JellyFruit yoghurt, fruit platter, canned fruit or custard
ChipsBaked pita wedges
Cakes and sweet biscuitsFruit toast with ricotta and berries, pikelets, wholemeal muffins
Potato gemsJacket potatoes, sweet corn, falafel
Ice creams and icy polesFrozen fruit pieces, fruit smoothies, fruit yoghurt
Juice and cordialWater, plain milk
Cream, sour cream or coconut creamReduced fat coconut milk, evaporated milk, ricotta cheese or natural yoghurt
Butter, copha, ghee or lardMono- or poly-unsaturated oil, margarine

For more information please phone 1300 22 52 88 or email heas@nutritionaustralia.org.au

Except where otherwise indicated, the images in this document show models and illustrative settings only, and do not necessarily depict actual services, facilities or recipients of services. This document may contain images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this document, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ‘Indigenous’ or ‘Koori/Koorie’ is retained when part of the title of a report, program or quotation. Copyright © State of Victoria 2016

Written and reviewed by dietitians and nutritionists at Nutrition Australia, with support from the Victorian Government.

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